Ćehotina River is Moving, But Montenegro’s Power Stays ON!
Imagine a river flowing, and beneath it, billions of euros worth of coal! That’s Ćehotina in Pljevlja, which miners are now relocating to a new riverbed. Why? To mine coal and secure electricity for the next two decades, until 2049! Yes, you read that right – 2049!
Why does this matter? Ćehotina used to flow naturally, but beneath its course lie massive coal reserves. To access them, the river must be moved. If not, Montenegro’s entire energy system could collapse, which would be catastrophic. That’s why the government declared this project a public interest and reduced VAT on the roughly 16 million euro project.
How’s the work going? The coal mine is funding the project with its own money and loans on the best terms. Over one-fifth of the work is done, with operations running in three shifts. If weather permits, the project will finish on time.
What about the environment? Ecologists welcome returning the river to an almost natural course. There’s also a plan to reclaim 34 hectares of land, which should improve Pljevlja’s ecological image. The new riverbed will bring the city closer to nature and create a zone for new investments, including a tourist complex.
But it’s not all sunshine… Environmental activists warn the situation won’t be better than 50 years ago, but definitely better than now. Still, this is a sure guarantee that the Pljevlja thermal power plant will operate until 2049, meaning Montenegro will have a stable power source for many years.
Bottom line? Relocating Ćehotina isn’t just a mining feat; it’s a strategic move for Montenegro’s energy security. With 16 million euros invested, the state and coal mine are working to keep the lights on in our homes.
So, what do you think? Is it worth moving an entire river for coal? Or is it time to switch to cleaner energy? Drop your thoughts below – let’s see who’s team river-mover and who’s team green future!
